Random freezes with windows 7 - 64 bit

Anonymous
2009-10-28T19:01:43+00:00

I use to run Vista home premium x86 on a acer computer. This summer I downloaded Windows 7 rc x86. A month ago I bought all new parts and since I could use 64-bit system now I installed a 64-bit Windows 7.  Then did the problem start. Every new and then the computer freezes, some days over 30 times. I thought it was hardware problem and tried a lot of hardware finders and nothing helped. I also installed windows 7 rc my mothers laptop (The same version I use to have that work fine) that used to run on Vista home basic.. But her computer didn’t freeze it just got a black screen now and then.

The I started to suspect that it was because it was a beta version so when windows 7 were released I bought two of them a 32-bit and a 64-bit. But the problem didn´t go away. It´s still there and It´s kind of frustrating and even more now when I’m trying to write a essay.

I used windows upgrade advisor and it didn´t see any problem with an upgrade to windows 7. What can I do?

original title: Random freezes with windows 7

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Windows update

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Anonymous
2009-11-14T19:44:19+00:00

Guys,

I might have the answer to your problems.  This might fix your sleep/suspend problems and your random freezing problems.  Bottom line is that the default and "auto" values in Win 7 and your BIOS might not produce a stable computer...even with a virgin install.

RANDOM FREEZES FIX:

My computer used to freeze randomly until I fixed the memory timings.  I suspected bad memory early on and tested it with MEMTEST, but it passed with flying colors.  I even tried swaping memory out, trying to eliminate bad memory and/or slots.  It turned out that it was a memory frequency/timings/voltage issue.  No more freezes!  If you have a similar setup, this will most likely fix it.  If not, then check your memory and/or power supply.

The "AUTO" settings in BIOS *may not* produce a stable setting.  You have to goto the ASUS support website and download the latest memory QVL and lookup the memory settings for your particular brand there.  For my memory (OCZX1333LV6GK(XMP)) I had to make the following adjustments in the BIOS:

DRAM Freq:1066  (even though my memory is rated at 1333 frequency, the QVL guide recommended a lower freq!)

7-7-7-16 for the rest of the timings.  The other settings I was able to leave in "AUTO"

DRAM BUS Voltage: 1.6

*warning: be sure to consult your memory/motherboard documentation...the wrong value could damage your components!

SUSPEND/SLEEP FIX:

My computer used to hang when coming out of sleep or wouldn't completely goto sleep.  This solution may be partially dependent on you fixing a random freezing issue if you have one. 

In your "advanced" power settings, disable "Hybrid Sleep".  That's it!  My motherboard doesn't like hybrid sleep.

*If you have a desktop with a UPS, Win 7 will treat it like a laptop and apply the battery settings....sooo make sure you adjust the "on battery" settings!

My setup:

Processor:Intel core i7 920

Motherboard:Asus P6T

Memory: OCZX1333LV6GK(XMP)    (ie. 6GB in 3 sticks)

Harddrive:  3 x WD Caviar Black drives in RAID 5

PSU: X3 1000W

Video card: 2 x NVIDIA 9800 GTX+ SLI

*I have all of the ASUS overclocking/energy savings programs uninstalled

*I have the latest BIOS 0801 and all the latest drivers installed

Nick

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-19T04:38:24+00:00

    Win7 Ultimate x64 here, too. You have an Intel or AMD? Because as you can see in my screenshot, I don't have that option in the balanced plan. I'll try creating a custom profile and see if that setting shows up.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-19T04:27:35+00:00

    I am using a desktop running Windows 7 Ultimate x64, not a laptop.

    Go to Control Panel-->Power Options

    By default "Balanced (recommended)" is selected as the power profile.

    I created a new profile for myself but the setting that was causing my issue is in the "Balanced" plan where the minimum processor state is set to 5%

    Go to Control Panel-->Power Options-->Change plan settings-->Change advanced power settings-->Processor power management-->Minimum processor state-->select and change from 5% to a higher value, 75% is working for me.  The minimum processor state is above the "System cooling Policy" and the first of three choices in the "Processor power management" sub-menu.  Below is a link to a screenshot of where to find it.

    http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/3229/powersettings.jpg

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T06:00:48+00:00

    I have been experiencing freezing problems as well in Windows 7 x64 just as many describe in this thread and have resolved my issue (2 weeks stable, no more freezes).

    For me the problem was tied to the power settings.  Specifically after much troubleshooting and reinstalls and about everything else, changing one setting has made the system stable and it has not froze since.

    In the default "Balanced/recommended" power setting, under the advanced settings, in process power management, the "Minimum processor state" default is set to 5%.  This setting seems to be too low for one of my harware components.  Presumably when the power went this low it was not enough to operate something and it froze and was unable to recover.

    I changed the minimum processor state up to 75% and my system has not froze.

    This may or may not help in your particular situation but based on my experience I recommend trying to adjust this to see if it helps your situation.

    Let me know if it works for you and good luck!

    Are you on a laptop or something? I don't see that option. Under the balanced profile, in the advanced setting, the only option I see for the processor is about a cooling policy, either active or passive.

    http://imgur.com/GXJLe

    I've gotten some stability by lowering my RAM down to 800mhz. My mobo is supposed to default to 1333mhz, and can OC to 1600mhz, which is what my RAM is rated at. And my RAM was off the QVL list for the mobo, so it should run at 1333mhz either way, and that's what I've read the AMD X4's run best at anyway. But even cranking up the RAM voltage and fiddling with the timings it won't stay stable. I guess I'll eventually RMA the mobo, as Memtest has shown the RAM to be stable, regardless of timings.

    I uninstalled the VIA HD Audio Deck software, the crackling and popping went away using just the Windows drivers. But then I have no way of controlling the front audio jacks. So I guess I'll live with the crackling until ATi gets some decent drivers. But the software didn't seem to effect the stability.

    Anyway, for those with AMD quad cores it might be worth a shot to lower your RAM timings as low as they can go and see if it's stable, then ease them back up until it's not. It's only been a couple of days now, and I haven't tried Prime95 or anything yet, but a few video encodes have gone well, and hasn't frozen watching any Youtube clips, which used to do it quite often. Each bios is different so hard to tell you how to do it, just change it from "auto" to "manual" and you should see some more options in your bios. Mine seems to be stable at 800mhz, but freezes at 1066mhz, 1333mhz, and 1600mhz, again, regardless of timings/voltages. Only a temporary solution for me as I didn't pay the extra money for ddr3-1600 just to run it at half its speed. And it's definitely noticeably slower.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-18T05:24:18+00:00

    I have been experiencing freezing problems as well in Windows 7 x64 just as many describe in this thread and have resolved my issue (2 weeks stable, no more freezes).

    For me the problem was tied to the power settings.  Specifically after much troubleshooting and reinstalls and about everything else, changing one setting has made the system stable and it has not froze since.

    In the default "Balanced/recommended" power setting, under the advanced settings, in process power management, the "Minimum processor state" default is set to 5%.  This setting seems to be too low for one of my harware components.  Presumably when the power went this low it was not enough to operate something and it froze and was unable to recover.

    I changed the minimum processor state up to 75% and my system has not froze.

    This may or may not help in your particular situation but based on my experience I recommend trying to adjust this to see if it helps your situation.

    Let me know if it works for you and good luck!

    Was this answer helpful?

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